Press translations [Japan]. Editorial Series 0141, 1945-12-23.

Full Translation:

It is not a easy matter, to be sure, for the farmers to furnish only 26,000,000 koku of rice to the government out of 46,000,000 koku anticipated as the total amount of the rice crop for this year. In regard to the allotted amount for the distribution of daily necessities to the farmers, the statement of the Government can not yet be relied upon, since the measures taken by provincial authorities are not yet free from wartime bureaucracy. This is only an attempt to bridge the gap between the producing farmers and the consumers. Thus, the reluctance of the farmers to sell their crops to the Government may be said to be unavoidable from a certain point of view. Already Agriculture Minister MATSUMURA went out to CHIBA Ken and other places before the opening of the Diet to seek delivery of crops and, at the same time, listen to the farmers' complaints. Also, Premier SHIDEHARA himself, reportedly will go to the provincial districts after the closing of the Diet to Call in the farmers. We do not entirely disagree with their interests, yet is it proper for the Agriculture Minister, to say nothing of the Premier, to be devoting time to such tasks? Even if they go to the provincial districts and directly appeal to the farmers, it is quite clear that every village in the country cannot be visited. It is a great mistake if they think that delivery of food will be accomplished because a minister goes to a few districts. What is needed is not such trickery, but the execution of a policy that will facilitate the farmers' delivery of their crops or make them willing to do so.

There are many problems to be solved in order to facilitate the delivery of food. The drastic reform of the old bureaucratic attitude of the provincial authorities, democratization of the farming associations, abolition of the need for rice to be exchanged for daily commodities, etc., are all necessary items to attain this delivery. Now that the food problem has become more serious, the farmers should also consider fully co-operating in the delivery of food. To be sure, there exists causes which hinder the delivery or which decreases the desire to sell. But aren't these causes being use as an excuse for hoarding? Of course, the circumstances are different in each district and with each farmer. Certainly, many farmers and farming villages are earnestly making every effort to increase the food supply in these days as well as they did wartime.

EDITORIAL SERIES: 141 (Continued)

ITEM 1 (Continued)

The Nation must he deeply grateful these farmers end villages. On the other hand, many formers are ignoring the delivery of food on the plea that the measures taken by the government or provincial authorities are unjustifiable or that the Farming Associations do not understand the farmers' point of view. They even sell to the black market, taking advantage of the plight of the consumers. It is undeniable that recently such farmers were increasing in number. Of late, some people have been talking about the necessity of understanding the farmers' stand on the food problem or the direct connection between producers and consumers. It is most regrettable that the farmers only pursue their own profit, ignoring the distress of many consumers.

The workers engaged in munition industries, especially in aircraft factories, were frequently unusually well-treated in wartime and the evil effect of this stil1 remains. If the farmers make the same mistake made by the workers in wartime, it is not only unwholesome for the Nation, but equally regrettable for the farmers. The farmers must not self-indulge. Now, the Nation must mutually share all the burdens and troubles of defeat. Food is the fatal problem affecting the life or death of the Nation, and as such both the Government and consumers are longing for sincere understanding and co-operation of the farmers. It is not permissable for them to ignore the deliver of food and take advantage of the consumers' needs. Moreover, the Government must not flatter the farmers on any occassion.

However, the distribution of necessary commodites for the formers is another matter which must be guaranteed. It must be attributed to a lack of effort that the statements of the Government fails to be realized. Of course, the farmers are discontented not only with the policy of the Government, but also with the attitude in certain respects, of the city consumers. Nevertheless, we hear some voices which say that the farmers are the war profiteers and also the postwar profiteers. These voices ore growing louder. In view of the fact that the quantity of rice hitherto delivered amounts to only a little more than 10 per cent of the allotted quantity, it is, also necessary for the farmer to consider the situation.

Full Translation:

According to Japanese thought, theirs was a country of Gods, and therefore, in their mind, it was invulnerable. They also believed that some day a Divine Wind would blow and send al1 ships and airplanes of the Allied Forces to the bottom of the sea. Many Japanese acted against the interest of their Nation, and yet they believed that the gods would favour their country. But what did we find in the hard facts of reality? Was it the gods that forced the Emperor to make such a pathetic address on the radio? The fact is that there are no such gods as they had believed.

Only human beings exist on earth. Now is the time when we, the Japanese, should cast aside such absolute ideas which we have cherished for thousands of years and face a dreary world that has no gods in it. Instead of worshiping gods, we must respect each other. Instead of relying upon gods, we must rely on each other. Instead of pledging ourselves to gods, we must pledge ourselves to each other. And instead of serving gods, we must serve each other. Such gods could be

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 141 (Continued)

ITEM 2 (Continued)

deceived, but now, men cannot be deceived. Unless this hard fact is realized, there is no knowing who may commit further extraordinary blunders.

I insist again, we have no god. But God may exist. If, clearly realizing that there is no such god, we respect each other, rely upon each other, take an oath before each other, serve each other, and could find in our innermost souls something supreme, and shining, however small, then we may cal1 it God.

Full Translation:

In reply to Mr. AKITA's interpellation on 15 December in the House of Peers, welfare Minister ASHIDA said that the Government had no intention of recognizing birth control. In explaining the reasons he pointed out that once the birth rate tends to decline, the race can hardly increase in population.

But this reason seems to stand on the premise that it is necessary for JAPAN to have population increased. Why does she want a large population, unless she should aim to invade foreign countries? If not, what is Mr. ASHIDA going to do with an increased population, which has already filled the country? It may be said, rather, to be a crime to adopt such a plan to increase population over and above the limit of JAPAN's ability to feed her people. The people are now on the verge of starvation and birth control is being observed to some extent. But owing to its legal disapproval, birth control can be practiced only by those families which can afford to bring up children, while, on the other hand, the poor are troubled with too many children. Besides, secret birth control induces mothers and babies to experience misery and crime, and produces bad effects on the health of the people. We think legalization and public guidance of birth control is a pressing need of the present time from the standpoint of food, unemployment, public welfare, and defense against crime.

Moreover, women's suffrage, without an elevated social position and emancipation, means nothing, and to realize these goals birth control must be legally recognized. The progress of Japanese society should first begin with improving women's lives and renovating the Japanese way of living. But, in this present pressing economic condition, rearing children may be too much a burden and may lead both family life and society to destruction. Again, unless the government recognizes birth-control, women's professional positions and their economic stabilization are in a precarious condition. Without stabilizing everyday life, neither Liberalism nor Democracy can grow among the people.

Since the Government, admitting women's rights, has given them the franchise, it should also recognize birth control, respecting again their personality and equality. Of course, it cannot be denied that there may be some evils in both women's suffrage and birth control. Therefore, if one is admitted, the other should also be legalized, even if JATAN suffers a decrease in population.

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EDITORIAL SERIES: 141 (Continued)

ITEM 3 (Continued)

Legilization of birth control is urgently needed to advance Japanese civilization and to give some free time and easy living to the people, who are now tired after many years of war, and are destitute after the defeat. If the Government does not recognize birth control, people will resort to it illegaly. We must seriously take into consideration the misery caused by such illegal practice of birth control.

Full Translation:

The agony of HAMLET so famous in "to be or not to be - that is the question" is so true of the late prince KONOE. About one year before world War II, the NEW YORK times Weekly photograrphed two poses of Prince KONOYE. One displayed him in a kimono with splashed patterns, dishabille wearing haori - (TN: Japanese coat). In the other he appeared completely dressed in golfing clothes. They wrote a long article entitled "A politician of both sides of present-day JAPAN". This remindsus of something today, when he is dead. He sent FUMITAKA, his eldest son, to AMERICA on one hand, and on the other he tried to bring up MICHITAKA, his next son, in the pure Oriental tradition. He explained that this was due to the extremely different characters of the two, the one resembling prince SAIONJI and the other more like his grandfather, Prince ATS[illegible]RO. But the late Prince was neither as noble nor as wise as Prince SAIONJI and he was also less nationalistic than his father.

Despite the fact that he was foremost of the five regent families, he was always harassed by the problems of the intelligentsia. He could not escape the bonds of dilettantism both inihis personal and political life. He was once reprimanded by old Mr. OTAKE, Kanichi, when he made a donation of some money at the death-bed of Mr. MOMOKI, Ryozo. He also showed no concern over has friendship with Mr. UCHIDA, Shinya[illegible] [illegible]KANEMITSU, Yasuo; YAMASHITA, Kamezaburo; and KOBAYASHI, Ichizo, all of whom have now fallen into disfavor. On the eve of the collapse of the third KONOE Cabinet, when he, then the premier, clashed with General TOJO, the war Minister, over American-Japanese negotiations the latter spoke unreservedly, "This is due to our characteristic differences".. We may say that they still show this characteristic difference at the end of their lives. Prince Konoe died at the age of 55. It may not be a long life but he lived longer than his father who died at 4.

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